TN parties speak in one voice, back LTTE

TAMIL BRETHREN: For Tamils in TN, the plight of their ethnic cousins in Sri Lanka is an emotive issue.

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New Delhi: The Sri Lankan army is two kilometres from Kilinochi, the unofficial capital of LTTE areas in Sri Lanka. Massive bombings by the Lankan air force, the exodus of Tamil civilians into government controlled areas, and allegations of genocide have created a political stir in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi says, "If Sri Lanka continues to ignore the warnings of the Central Government, then we will be forced to think whether we need this Government."

Compounding the matter is the alleged targeting of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. The CPI, DMDK, MDMK, and VCK observed a day long fast to protest the killing of Tamil fishermen in Sri Lankan waters. They also endorsed the demands of Sri Lankan Tamils.

CPI Spokesperson Mahendran said, "LTTE has a long history. They did a mistake and now they are realising it. They are just demanding a separate state."

Meanwhile, AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa, who is fiercely against the LTTE, has also spoken in support of the Lankan Tamils. But some LTTE intermediaries and sympathisers say the UPA Government must share the blame for the mass killings of Lankan Tamils.

Poet & LTTE Intermediary, Jayapalan says, "Upto recent years, Tamils blamed India for militarily supporting the genocide. But the Tamils are now saying that Sonia Gandhi is giving arms to kill them. I appeal to Sonia Gandhi, the viceroy, the extra constitutional authority to ask Sri Lanka to stop killing Tamils by the arms given by us. I also appeal to her to stop the genocide of Tamils."

Law enforcement agencies in Tamil Nadu are keeping a vigil on any spillover of the onslaught on the LTTE.

ADGP Law and Order, Rajendran says, "We cannot say for certain whether there is a threat or no threat. But we are taking all actions. We have increased the coastal detachments and the coastal security groups. We are opening 12 marine police stations. So we are vigilant and keeping a tight watch on the shores."

It appears that the dream of the Sri Lankan Tamils for a homeland within Sri Lanka is over. But for the Tamils in Tamil Nadu, the plight of their ethnic cousins in the island nation is an emotive issue. In context of the General Elections next year this issue is bound become controversial.

(With inputs from Meenakshi Mahadevan)